[Game] Knicks @ Kings - 12/28/12

[Glenn]

See above. The game is very subtle. Little things weren't there in the second half that were there in the first half. A little more dribble, dribble by Thornton, a little more tunnel vision by Cousins, a little more of not making the extra pass by Salmons. I'm not necessarily picking on Thornton, but just as an example, IT made a nice drive and kicked it to Thornton; Thornton was somewhat covered and he drove to the hole; he didn't see a wide open Salmons at the 3 pt line because of his tunnel vision of the moment and he went into three guys into the paint. Smart can show the film, he can repeat the mantras, but ultimately guys have to have the poise to make the extra pass instead of panic and do what they feel comfortable doing.

That's exactly what happened. Isn't it the coaches job to call a timeout and jerk on their shorts? The players obviously have the skills but maybe haven't done this long enough. It's only been 4 or 5 games and they need to trust in it. Trouble with guys like Thornton and Cuz is that they are so used to being the big scorers so they revert back to the iso play quickly. Anyway, I'll take a good half rather than none. I'd have the team watch the game.

 

[VF21]

So again, winning teams are just fortunate that their players don't have tunnel vision while ours do? Or we're young, or what? How come our players can never develop poise?

It's very hard for players on losing teams to develop trust in each other. And that's what passing away a shot boils down to - trust. Get them to trust each other and good things happen.

 

[flamecrow]

Did we have a timeout to call? Do you think a normal coach would have called time out on that last play? I don't know much but last time we lost for missing a shot like that, people here were asking why Smart didn't call a timeout so I'm just wondering...

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Did we have a timeout to call? Do you think a normal coach would have called time out on that last play? I don't know much but last time we lost for missing a shot like that, people here were asking why Smart didn't call a timeout so I'm just wondering...

I was at the game and I was yelling "call a freaking timeout" then we won and the arena went crazy!

 

[Agent23]

Agreed on Thornton. I wish Jimmer had a few years under his belt as he seems to be developing in the right direction. Very coachable. Don't anybody over react, please. I happen to like the way he is growing especially after last year.

Love the way Jimmer's been developing. By next year, him and Tyreke should be the starting backcour for this team. Annoyed by his fans though.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

We had an amazing exciting victory. But people shouldnt forget how bad Smart sucks and almost threw the game away

 

[mac]

Love the way Jimmer's been developing. By next year, him and Tyreke should be the starting backcour for this team. Annoyed by his fans though.

Same. Jimmer has been playing very very well and looks very promising. But his fans are annoying.

 

[VF21]

Did we have a timeout to call? Do you think a normal coach would have called time out on that last play? I don't know much but last time we lost for missing a shot like that, people here were asking why Smart didn't call a timeout so I'm just wondering...

When you're down by two and get a board with so little time left, calling a time out can go either way. If the Kings take the time out and have any trouble getting the ball inbounds, for example, they lose without ever getting the shot. I have no problem with letting it play out. Tonight it worked and the team and the fans went home happy. Why second guess that? Sometimes people spend way too much time trying to make everything into a matter of what the coach should do, when a time out should be called, how many minutes a starter should play, etc. While there are certainly standards for those kinds of things, there aren't many black and white rules. That's one of the great things about basketball. It's quick and fluid.

 

[Bricklayer]

Love the way Jimmer's been developing. By next year, him and Tyreke should be the starting backcour for this team. Annoyed by his fans though.

Who's he gonna guard? Its different when you're a starter. Teams will gameplan for you, and when they face us the offense will be "guy who Jimmer's guarding left" & "guy who Jimmer's guarding right". As a reserve you can hide that a little. Certain teams remain very focused on punishing him, but most of the time reserves are not only less talented but less organized/focused on their opponents because they don't know who they are going to face. When we pull into Portland though and face Damian Lillard and Wes Matthews, and they have both been studying the scouting reports, what do you think is going to happen to Jimmer? And that's a distraction to the entire rest of the team.

 

[VF21]

Same. Jimmer has been playing very very well and looks very promising. But his fans are annoying.

The annoying Jimmer fans have, for the most part, left the building. I don't think it's fair to continue to pick on people simply because they happened to join the forum because of a particular player. All of us were newbies at one time, remember?

 

[upinsmoke]

Love the way Jimmer's been developing. By next year, him and Tyreke should be the starting backcour for this team. Annoyed by his fans though.

I'm hoping we make a play for Avery Bradley if Bos and Cle make a deal by opening up our protected pick but so far it's just a dream. Back to reality Jimmer/Evans backcourt might become what we always hoped it could be... Damn good.

 

[Npliam]

am i the only one who is upset that the main headline on espn.com is lac/uta and not sac/nyk?
way better game!

I am really upset by that game. The Jazz were screwed for the second time while losing to the Clippers at home. Paul and Griffen are really being given the superstar treatment this year.

 

[Npliam]

Who's he gonna guard? Its different when you're a starter. Teams will gameplan for you, and when they face us the offense will be "guy who Jimmer's guarding left" & "guy who Jimmer's guarding right". As a reserve you can hide that a little. Certain teams remain very focused on punishing him, but most of the time reserves are not only less talented but less organized/focused on their opponents because they don't know who they are going to face. When we pull into Portland though and face Damian Lillard and Wes Matthews, and they have both been studying the scouting reports, what do you think is going to happen to Jimmer? And that's a distraction to the entire rest of the team.

His defense has been fine. He gets beat sometimes and doesn't get beat other times. He defensive liabilities are entirely overblown.

 

[The_Jamal]

Who's he gonna guard? Its different when you're a starter. Teams will gameplan for you, and when they face us the offense will be "guy who Jimmer's guarding left" & "guy who Jimmer's guarding right". As a reserve you can hide that a little. Certain teams remain very focused on punishing him, but most of the time reserves are not only less talented but less organized/focused on their opponents because they don't know who they are going to face. When we pull into Portland though and face Damian Lillard and Wes Matthews, and they have both been studying the scouting reports, what do you think is going to happen to Jimmer? And that's a distraction to the entire rest of the team.

If Jimmer produces like he is offensively this year in more minutes, you take the defensive hits that occurs when he's on the floor for the shooting he gives offensively. The luxury you have is having a Mr. Tyreke Evans who can equally defend both guard spots at an above-average level. Against OKC you have Reke on Westbrook and make Thabo hit shots against Jimmer. Versus Miami, you have Reke on Wade and make Chalmers hit shots on Jimmer and so on.

 

[Bricklayer]

His defense has been fine. He gets beat sometimes and doesn't get beat other times. He defensive liabilities are entirely overblown.

No, they really aren't. Whenever he faces a real offensive player it gets dicey quick. And as mentioned, he is hiding right now on the bench. They don't prep for him. If he is a starter, they will.

And Jamal, you continue to miss th point that the starting PG on a team with Reke and Cousins CAN'T gun it like Jimmer without being selfish and disruptive. There is a role for that sort of gunning, but its not alongside your star players. So the question is, for whoever has that role, who can make the best impact on 8-10 shots tops a game? The answer to that one isn't going to be a guy who's best trait is his scoring.

 

[Npliam]

No, they really aren't. Whenever he faces a real offensive player it gets dicey quick. And as mentioned, he is hiding right now on the bench. They don't prep for him. If he is a starter, they will.

And Jamal, you continue to miss th point that the starting PG on a team with Reke and Cousins CAN'T gun it like Jimmer without being selfish and disruptive. There is a role for that sort of gunning, but its not alongside your star players. So the question is, for whoever has that role, who can make the best impact on 8-10 shots tops a game? The answer to that one isn't going to be a guy who's best trait is his scoring.

Yes they are. The best scorers in the league score on anybody. They just do. The fact that you continue to harp on Jimmers defense is mystifying to me given that the you are a huge fan of the worst defensive center in the league. Jimmer gets beat from time to time off the dribble but so does everybody else in the league.

As far as Jimmer being a gunner and not taking shots if he were playing with Cousins and Tyreke I really don't think he would have a problem with it. He shoots a lot now but that is really his job.

 

[TyFreak Evans]

Double J to save the day! Oh whatta game! And it looked darn good from my seat on Kings Row 1!!! In all seriousness, it shouldn't have gotten so close in the end, but WE WAS WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The_Jamal]

No, they really aren't. Whenever he faces a real offensive player it gets dicey quick. And as mentioned, he is hiding right now on the bench. They don't prep for him. If he is a starter, they will.

And Jamal, you continue to miss th point that the starting PG on a team with Reke and Cousins CAN'T gun it like Jimmer without being selfish and disruptive. There is a role for that sort of gunning, but its not alongside your star players. So the question is, for whoever has that role, who can make the best impact on 8-10 shots tops a game? The answer to that one isn't going to be a guy who's best trait is his scoring.

I disagree. 50% of Jimmer's offensive plays this year come off-screens, in transition, or spot-up shooting, all non-ball dominant aspects of the game. If he's used like a Kmart, Ray Allen type player, then we won't have a problem. And he's excelled in that role when we use him that way. Even if he does run PnR plays, he's been really effective this season doing so and would only help Tyreke's game

He also hasn't gotten any time to burn really with the starting unit. Most of his minutes have him as our best offensive player, and offensive deficient bigs like Trob is right now and Hayes. Jimmer is an unselfish enough player where I think he would more than willing to fully adapt to that off-ball role.

 

[mac]

The annoying Jimmer fans have, for the most part, left the building. I don't think it's fair to continue to pick on people simply because they happened to join the forum because of a particular player. All of us were newbies at one time, remember?

Nah not just referring to this forum.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Just like i have said all along, that James Johnson is the smoothest shooter since Peja.

 

[Hoovtrain]

No, they really aren't. Whenever he faces a real offensive player it gets dicey quick. And as mentioned, he is hiding right now on the bench. They don't prep for him. If he is a starter, they will.

And Jamal, you continue to miss th point that the starting PG on a team with Reke and Cousins CAN'T gun it like Jimmer without being selfish and disruptive. There is a role for that sort of gunning, but its not alongside your star players. So the question is, for whoever has that role, who can make the best impact on 8-10 shots tops a game? The answer to that one isn't going to be a guy who's best trait is his scoring.

Wait..we have star players??

 

[Bricklayer]

Wait..we have star players??

yes we do. And this fanbase's and franchise's continuing difficulty in identifying, maximizing, and featuring them is one of the great reasons it is the worst organization in the NBA. But 'tis ok -- I'm sure the Lakers or Celtics some other top team with a clue will be happy to relieve the provencials of their top talents sooner or later and leave the peasants slathering over the plucky scrubs who remain. Its what they do. Its why they are who they are, and why Sacto and its ilk are who they are.

 

[jcwkings]

yes we do. And this fanbase's and franchise's continuing difficulty in identifying, maximizing, and featuring them is one of the great reasons it is the worst organization in the NBA. But 'tis ok -- I'm sure the Lakers or Celtics some other top team with a clue will be happy to relieve the provencials of their top talents sooner or later and leave the peasants slathering over the plucky scrubs who remain. Its what they do. Its why they are who they are, and why Sacto and its ilk are who they are.

It's hard to feature "star" players when one is a immature nutcase with no post game to speak of, is constantly complaining to anyone who will listen, and the other misses a month with a sore knee ( I have no issues with Tyreke, but a sore knee should not keep someone out this long, unless theres a bigger issue thats not being reported)

 

[UK_King]

JAAAAAAAAAAAAMES JOHNSON!

 

[LWP777]

yes we do. And this fanbase's and franchise's continuing difficulty in identifying, maximizing, and featuring them is one of the great reasons it is the worst organization in the NBA. But 'tis ok -- I'm sure the Lakers or Celtics some other top team with a clue will be happy to relieve the provencials of their top talents sooner or later and leave the peasants slathering over the plucky scrubs who remain. Its what they do. Its why they are who they are, and why Sacto and its ilk are who they are.

Your love for DMC and Evans and complete hatred for just about everybody else on the roster is way worse than my constant criticism of DMC!

 

[UK_King]

"peasants slathering over plucky scrubs" wow, yikes.

 

[mac]

Your love for DMC and Evans and complete hatred for just about everybody else on the roster is way worse than my constant criticism of DMC!

Whoa hold your horses. Brick likes JT too.

My untouchables are: Tyreke, Cousins, Jimmer and I think JT's a keeper too. I like what I'm seeing frmo Jimmer, think next year he's going to be really good for us. Not star good, but a very solid player. I like him far more than I like Marcus "chucker" Thornton, who only passes the ball as often as DMC gets suspended.

 

[LWP777]

Whoa hold your horses. Brick likes JT too.

My untouchables are: Tyreke, Cousins, Jimmer and I think JT's a keeper too. I like what I'm seeing frmo Jimmer, think next year he's going to be really good for us. Not star good, but a very solid player. I like him far more than I like Marcus "chucker" Thornton, who only passes the ball as often as DMC gets suspended.

Sorry, I forgot about JT. I think he even said he was untouchable!

 

[jdbraver]

Whoa hold your horses. Brick likes JT too.

My untouchables are: Tyreke, Cousins, Jimmer and I think JT's a keeper too. I like what I'm seeing frmo Jimmer, think next year he's going to be really good for us. Not star good, but a very solid player. I like him far more than I like Marcus "chucker" Thornton, who only passes the ball as often as DMC gets suspended.

If Jimmer keeps plaing like this you have to find him more minutes be it in the starting lineup or the bench. He and thornton are interchangable at this point.
I don't think there are any untouchables. Now I'll describe them as not likely to match talent in return.

 

[Hoovtrain]

yes we do. And this fanbase's and franchise's continuing difficulty in identifying, maximizing, and featuring them is one of the great reasons it is the worst organization in the NBA. But 'tis ok -- I'm sure the Lakers or Celtics some other top team with a clue will be happy to relieve the provencials of their top talents sooner or later and leave the peasants slathering over the plucky scrubs who remain. Its what they do. Its why they are who they are, and why Sacto and its ilk are who they are.

I agree, it's appalling how we as a fanbase along with the franchise have failed to identify, maximize and feature James Johnson. Maybe after last night that will change.